Byron Shire Vibrant Economy Strategy coming soon

Published on 12 May 2025

Byron Shire is well known for its creative, generous and resilient community and Council is hoping to reflect the essence of this in a new Vibrant Economy Strategy.

“The last five years have had an incredible impact on our local economy in ways that no one could have imagined,” Sarah Ndiaye, Byron Shire Mayor, said.

“We recognise that we need to not only reflect on the impacts of COVID, floods and economic factors on our businesses and our community, but we need to set the direction for what we want our economy to look like in the future.

“Our business community have told us they want an aspirational strategy that reflects the creative and unique aspects of the Byron Shire, and this is what we intend to deliver,” Mayor Ndiaye said.

The Vibrant Economy Strategy will be an overarching document designed to support the Shire’s 6,000 plus local businesses while acknowledging and balancing the community’s desire to ensure the lifestyle and values of residents are maintained and enhanced.

Four action plans are being developed as part of the strategy, targeting the visitor economy, the night-time economy, the events sector and business and industry. 

“At the same time, we are working hard to support our businesses in the Byron Shire,” Mayor Ndiaye said.

“There is a lot of exciting work being done. We’re co-hosting the North Coast Tourism Symposium and Awards in July, we’ve been awarded a grant to kickstart our work on a Special Entertainment Precinct in Byron Bay, and we are supporting a Regional and Remote Music Summit as well.

“There are more than 21,000 local jobs in the Byron Shire, and we want to see people being able to live and work locally so this Vibrant Economy Strategy is a really important document,” she said.